The Gazelle Girl Half Marathon, 10K & 5K celebrates its 5th year in 2017. The event is set for Sunday, April 23, 2017. /photo courtesy Gazelle Girl Half Marathon.

Along with a group of girlfriends, I ran the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon a few years ago. Ever since, I’ve wanted to return to Grand Rapids for this April race tradition, and this year looks to be the year. I’m planning to again run the half, this time with Emma, and I can’t wait to be part of this milestone year for the race, which is set for Sunday, April 23.

2017 marks the event’s 5th anniversary, and organizers are gearing up for a fabulous race weekend. As a MRG partner race, I’ll be sharing lots of race news and information in the coming weeks leading up to race day. Up first: details on race bling. Read on to learn more, and if you haven’t yet signed on for the half, 10K or 5K, please use the discount code at the end to save on your race entry.

Organizers of the 2017 Gazelle Girl Half Marathon, 10K and 5K are changing things up medal-wise as part of the event’s 5th anniversary. Each finisher will receive one of the medals shown here, with different colored ribbons with a runner’s selected distance (Gazelle plans to show off the ribbon designs soon).

To honor those who will be running their fifth Gazelle Girl this year, organizers have a special legacy charm that will come attached to their finisher medal. “This is our ‘thank you!’ for supporting us and our charity partners for all five years,” says Race Director Holly Visser. “Any combination of distances will count you among the legacy runners. So, for example, if you ran the half for three years, the 5K last year, and want to do the 10K this year, you’ll receive the legacy gift.”

Finally, for those who love the charms, there is the option of purchasing Gazelle Girl’s 2017 charm design. The charm retails for $30 and may be purchased through your RunSignUp account.

Photo courtesy Gazelle Girl Half Marathon

Giving Back
Gazelle Girl is dedicated to empowering women. “We are proud that the profits raised from our event will be donated to four organizations in Kent County that inspire and empower women on a daily basis,” Visser says. “Over the past years we have raised over $100,000 for our charity partners.”

Race Exotique & Lodging

The 2017 Expotique will take place at the JW Marriott in Downtown Grand Rapids, and discounted rooms — $199/night for Gazelle Girl race weekend — are available to runners. To make your reservation, call 877-901-6632 or register online here. Please be sure to use the phone number or link listed here in order to receive the reduced rate.

“The Michigan Runner Girl tank is amazing! It was super comfortable and I love the open back pocket for my fuel. I proudly wore it for a PR in the half marathon!”— Jennifer Smigielski, Michigan Runner Girl who rocked out the Detroit Women’s Half Marathon this September.